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Friday, February 20, 2015

Hey pallies, likes how incredibly cool is it dudes to have our most beloved Dino's hottest of hot amorin' big screen performances bein' highlighted all over the ol' net this month of Dino-amore. Likes of course we are speakin' of the recent release this past Tuesday, February 17, of that fantastico flick "Kiss Me Stupid."

Recently we have shared a number of remarkable reviews of this new Olive Films released of "KMS" in both regular and Bluray DVD versions, and likes today on this twentieth day of Dino-amore month we are pleasurably pumped to share yet 'nother piece of incredible insight into this most most controversial of all our King of Cool's king size efforts on the big screen.

From the fantastic flick blog " 10Kbullets - Exploring the World of Cinema from the Arthouse to the Grindhouse" comes there first Dino-review (that we could find at least of "KMS" from reviewer Mr. Michael Den Boer. Den Boer takes the usual and logical approach to revewin' "KMS" by first givin' his readership the basic outline of the plot and then sharin' the incredible credentials of director Billy Wilder. And, then we gets to the meat of his comments and they are indeed first class.

From his powerful prose we just know that Michael not only gets "KMS," he also gets our Dino as well. He totally totally gets that "KMS" is a flick films long before it's time sayin'...."If ever there was case to be made about a film that missed its audience due to being ahead of its time, than that film would be Kiss Me, Stupid." And he totally totally gets our Dino playin' his coolest of cool, hippest of hip, randiest of randy self sayin' "With this film’s standout performance coming from Dean Martin (Ocean’s 11) in the role of pop crooner named Dino. His performance is essentially a caricature of his own persona."

We are powerfully positive that Mr. Michael Den Boer will send many out to purchase this lesser known and under appreciated effort of our Dino 'cause it is clear that Den Boer is smitten by this flick as well as smitten by our Dino...what more can we say dudes? We shouts out our deepest of deep Dino-appreciato for doin' his part to gets the word out 'bout this re-release of "Kiss Me Stupid" and helpin' many many more pallies to gets into the Dino-groove with this perfect Dino-effort. To checks this out in it's original format, simply clicks on the tag of this here Dino-report. Dino-awed, DMP

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 1964Director: Billy WilderWriter: Billy Wilder, I.A.L. DiamondCast: Dean Martin, Kim Novak, Ray Walston, Felicia Farr, Cliff Osmond, Mel Blanc, Henry GibsonBluRay released: February 17th, 2015Approximate running time: 125 minutesAspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVCRating: NRSound: DTS-HD Mono EnglishSubtitles: N/ABluRay Release:Olive FilmsRegion Coding: Region ARetail Price: $29.98Synopsis:A pop music crooner named Dino is forced to take a detour on his way from Las Vegas to Los Angeles where in a few days he is going to film his next T.V. special. Along the way he finds himself in a small rural town named Climax and when he stops for gas he is quickly noticed by the gas station attendant, who also happens to be an aspiring song writer. Not wanting to let his one chance at stardom slip through his fingers the gas station attendant enlists the help of songwriting partner. They come up with a plan that ensures that Dino will be found forced to stay the night in Climax and hear their music. Unfortunately for them Dino has other ideas of what he would like to do for the night and these plans involve hooking up with a beautiful lady. Not willing to give up just yet the two songwriters hire a waitress to play the role of one of their wives and she is also given the task of keeping Dino happy while they try to get him to listen to their music.Kiss Me, Stupid was directed by Billy Wilder whose other notable films include, Double Indemnity, The Lost Weekend, Sunset Boulevard, The Seven Year Itch, Some Like it Hot and The Apartment. Key collaborators on Kiss Me, Stupid include cinematographer Joseph LaShelle (I Was a Teenage Werewolf, The Long, Hot Summer), composer André Previn (Irma la Douce,The Fortune Cookie) and screenwriter I.A.L. Diamond a frequent collaborator of Billy Wilder’s. Casting choices that never materialized for this film include Marilyn Monroe in the role Zelda and Peter Sellers in the role of Orville. These roles when eventually portrayed by Kim Novak and Ray Walston.If ever there was case to be made about a film that missed its audience due to being ahead of its time, than that film would be Kiss Me, Stupid. Upon its initial release this film was panned by critics and failed to capture an audience at the box office. With the majority of the blame for this film’s failure being pinned on its morally objectionable subject matter. Fortunately time can be kind and things that were once condemned can be reevaluated and given their just due.
Ironically the main thing that caused Kiss Me, Stupid so much trouble was essentially the same thing that made The Apartment a huge success just four years before for Wilder. Both film’s deal with characters who use other characters to further advance their agendas. With that being said, there is one way in which these two films present said subject matter. Most notably there is a cynical undertone that runs throughout Kiss Me, Stupid that is in direct contrast to the vibe going on in The Apartment.From a production stand point there are not many areas where this film does not excel. At a time when the majority of films where shot in color Wilder insisted on shooting this film in Black and White, which puts the spotlight on characters and the story at hand. The film’s narrative is well constructed and all of the characters are well defined. And most importantly when it comes to humor this film does not miss a beat. Content wise it is a very satisfying blend of self-deprecating and morality based humor, that is often laced with Double Entendres.
From a performance stand point there are no weeks links as everyone is very good in their respective roles. With this film’s standout performance coming from Dean Martin (Ocean’s 11) in the role of pop crooner named Dino. His performance is essentially a caricature of his own persona. Another performance of note is Kim Novak (Vertigo, Bell, Book and Candle) in the role of Polly the Pistol, a waitress that was hired by the two songwriters to pretend that she is one of their wives. Needless to say the moments that Novak and Martin share onscreen are this film’s strongest asset. Ultimately Kiss Me, Stupid is vastly underrated film that deserves a place next to Billy Wilder’s more highly regarded films.The BluRay:Kiss Me, Stupid comes on a 25 GB single layer BluRay. The film is presented in a 1080 progressive widescreen. The source used is in great shape. Contrast and black levels look consistently strong throughout. Details look sharp, grain looks natural and there no issues with DNR or compression.
This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono English. The audio is also in great shape as dialog comes through with crystal clarity and everything sounds balanced throughout. And though this is a dialog heavy film, when it comes to ambient noises they are well represented in this audio mix. Also music plays a large role in the plot and whenever music occurs it sounds appropriately robust.
Extras for this release are limited to a trailer for the film (2 minutes 35 seconds – 1080 Progressive Widescreen). Overall Kiss Me, Stupid gets a solid audio / video presentation from Olive Films.Note: Olive Films are also releasing this film on DVD.

Hey pallie, likes Scotty, can't say we can disagree with your Dino-assessment...and likes what a great pallie of Dino's are you dude...we thanks you ever so kindly for your faithfulness to our Dino and to patterin' here at our humble little Dino-home. Keeps lovin' our most beloved Dino!